5“Divine Efficiency Consistent with Human Activity: Notes of a Sermon Delivered by Rev. Basil Manly, D. D.” (Tuscaloosa: Printed by M. D. J. Slade, 1849), p. 5. This quote is not from the body of the sermon itself but from the “Prefatory Remarks, Proceedings, &c.”

If the atonement of Christ had not been sufficient for all, in case of their repentance, none could complain; since he was not under obligation to provide salvation for any. Sinners lying under just condemnation, have no claim to redemption. That the atonement is sufficient for all who repent and believe is a matter of mere grace. God has thus shown to all a disposition to be reconciled, none having the least claim; if now, he chooses to be more urgent with some than with others, does that excuse the enmity, the persevering rebellion and opposition, of any?

It is worthy of note that Manly first argues that God was under no obligation to provide atonement even for all who might repent. He seems to assume that each sinner’s sin has placed him under infinite debt which God has no obligation to forgive under the force of any human contrivance. God cannot be debtor to any human activity which falls short of the perfect righteousness of the law. Even repentance does not earn God’s salvific activity; it is, however, a response that is fitting for those who eventually live in the holy presence of God and will without fail be a remarkable part of their spiritual experience. Sin, by its very nature, has rendered salvation a matter of mere unalloyed grace at every possible point.

19Letter of Basil Manly printed in Christian Index, Nov. 28, 1867, p. 149. The letter was found by W.T. Brantley, Jr. as he rummaged around in some old manuscripts of his father. At Manly’s own wedding, preached by Brantly, Sr., “religious services were preferred by the company to the entertainments common to such occasions.”

20From Manly’s account, it appears that Mr. Nettleton refused to visit with him when Manly paid him a call. In addition, Manly’s church was involved in revival services at the same time that Nettleton was preaching in the evening, so Manly could not hear him preach. This is a profound irony since their purpose and content in preaching were so similar and their concerns about generating spurious professions coincided precisely. Manly records that Nettleton was upset that no one had attempted to call on him, the very thing that Manly had attempted, and publicly “said that there was no religion in Charleston – intimated strongly that ministers and people were all in fault – and as I have understood from several has now left the city in disgust – AMEN – say I. And so may all leave it, who behave like him.”

Upcoming

Join us September 24-25 at Heritage Baptist Church in Mansfield, Texas for the 2015 Southern Baptist Founders Conference Southwest. The theme of this year’s conference is Distinctives of Baptist Covenant Theology. Featured Speakers include Pascal[...]